Just Do Something:

OR
How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.

NOT a Magic 8-Ball

NOT a Corn Maze

NOT a Tightrope

NOT a Bullseye

NOT a Choose Your Own Adventure Book

Yes, God has a plan for your life. BUT He does not promise to reveal the specifics of that wonderful plan ahead of time...

He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience, and invites us to take risks for Him. Just do something!

The "Will of God":

• Will of Decree
• Will of Desire
• Will of Direction

Will of Decree

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,"
- Ephesians 1:11

"I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’"
- Isaiah 46:9b-10

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
- Psalm 139:16

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered."
- Matthew 10:29-30

"For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place."
- Acts 4:27-28 (also see 2:23)

Will of Desire

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
- 1 John 2:15-17

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
- Hebrews 13:20-21

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
- Matthew 7:21

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
- Deuteronomy 29:29

Will of Direction

Matthew 6:25-34

TAKEAWAY: Trusting God's will of decree is good. Following God's will of desire is obedient. Waiting for God's will of direction is a mess!

Reasons why we wait on God's will of direction (even though we shouldn't)...

#1 We want to
please God

#2 We are timid

#3 We want
perfect fulfillment

#4 We have too
many choices

#5 We are cowards

TAKEAWAY: Because we have confidence in God's will of decree, we can radically commit ourselves to His will of desire, without fretting over a hidden will of direction!

The most important issues for God are moral purity, theological fidelity, compassion, joy, witness, faithfulness, love, etc—in short: GROWTH IN CHRISTLIKENESS...

The PROBLEM is that we tend to focus most of our attention on everything else...

Problems w/ the "Conventional Approach"

• Focuses attention on nonmoral issues
• Implies a "sneaky" God
• Encourages a preoccupation with the future
• Undermines personal responsibility, accountability, & initiative
• Hopeless subjectivism

A Better Way

• Don't worry, seek His kingdom!
• The most important daily decision: live to Christ and die to self.
• The way of wisdom

"God guides in
decision making"
vs
"God expects us to discover His plan
for our lives"

How God Guides
Us Today

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."
- Hebrews 1:1-2

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
- Ephesians 5:15-21

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
- Romans 12:1-2

Practical Steps

• Search God's Word
• Get wise counsel
• Pray
• Make a decision

The end of the matter: Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you'll be walking in the will of God.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever struggled with "finding God's will"?
• Does God guide us? If so, how?
• Does God promise to show us the future?
• When is the "open door" approach okay, and when is it unwise?
• How would you counsel someone wanting to know God's will about who to marry, what work to do, etc?

Sources/Recommended Reading

• "Just Do Something" - Kevin DeYoung